Hi Loz,
I have just been reading the story about Mrs. Seymour. Blair, has of course denied that this is the case. I think that once the dust settles and all the facts come out, we will probably find that an over exuberant civil servant f!@#ed up.
Aye - Andy.
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How Disgusting is this???
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harry hackedoff
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Sick.
Bean counters run everything.
WW11 Merchant Seamen had their pay stopped the minute they were torpedoed.
This is disgraceful, I wonder how they can live with themselves and why nobody thought to say" Hang on a minute, is this the right time to do this?"
God Bless Ian`s familly
Bean counters run everything.
WW11 Merchant Seamen had their pay stopped the minute they were torpedoed.
This is disgraceful, I wonder how they can live with themselves and why nobody thought to say" Hang on a minute, is this the right time to do this?"
God Bless Ian`s familly
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MoD ever done anything right?Admin is a huge drain on the forces funds and sickening acts like this will only add to the resentment.
Surely someone must have thought about it as it was processed?
Should have use of the quarters for a year at least, and a years pay. He died serving his country and the country has a moral requirement to look after his family. It would be the only right way to act.
I have just seen this on the evening news on both channels.
To say I am angry is an understatement I am absolutely incensed and believe me it takes a lot to get me going, 15 years in blue has seen to that!
To think that some jumped up pen pusher clerk has caused this poor girl this grief is a national disgrace, somehow I dont think it will be the last.
We do, and always have, treated our service personnel as second class citizens, which is why so many of us leave prematurely. I am also aware of the hardships suffered both physically and mentally by ex service personel and war widows.
Mrs Seymour and the other widows (and families) should never have to worry about money or housing again.
It is an appaling indictement of the UK and we should hang our heads in shame that we allow it to happen.
To say I am angry is an understatement I am absolutely incensed and believe me it takes a lot to get me going, 15 years in blue has seen to that!
To think that some jumped up pen pusher clerk has caused this poor girl this grief is a national disgrace, somehow I dont think it will be the last.
We do, and always have, treated our service personnel as second class citizens, which is why so many of us leave prematurely. I am also aware of the hardships suffered both physically and mentally by ex service personel and war widows.
Mrs Seymour and the other widows (and families) should never have to worry about money or housing again.
It is an appaling indictement of the UK and we should hang our heads in shame that we allow it to happen.
L/Cpl R.M. (Retd).
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Rotary Booty
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Hold fast.
You've got to cut MOD a little bit of slack here. There's bound to be mistakes when we have suffered thousands of casualties, and the office dealing with such matters is totally overwhelmed because the person who usually handles this sort of thing is on holiday in Spain.
Someone, in a spirit of, there's money to be saved here, has gone into the regulations and found sub para 234 (iii), item 6, sub sub para 19354, that states that, if someone is dead, they can't possibly be paid, and if you're not married to a serviceman, how can you possibly be entitled to live in a Married Quarter.
Back off guys, we're not dealing with logic and common sense here, this is the MOD!
You've got to cut MOD a little bit of slack here. There's bound to be mistakes when we have suffered thousands of casualties, and the office dealing with such matters is totally overwhelmed because the person who usually handles this sort of thing is on holiday in Spain.
Someone, in a spirit of, there's money to be saved here, has gone into the regulations and found sub para 234 (iii), item 6, sub sub para 19354, that states that, if someone is dead, they can't possibly be paid, and if you're not married to a serviceman, how can you possibly be entitled to live in a Married Quarter.
Back off guys, we're not dealing with logic and common sense here, this is the MOD!
[img]http://avanimation.avsupport.com/gif/Snoopy.gif[/img] So far.....so good........but watch your six!
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Andy O'Pray
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I have no doubt that the over exuberant civil servant went by the letter of the rules and regulations. It is the rules and regulations that require to be changed.
I would have thought that some supervisor would have had the authority to use a bit of common sense. It is tragic enough that this young woman has been widowed at such an early age, add to that she has a young child to look after. It will be many months before she can start to think straight and start to put her life in order.
It is shameful that a country treat the families of fallen service people this way. Hopefully somebody will look at this situation and make rapid moves to correct the situation and make sure that it does not happen again.
Aye - Andy
I would have thought that some supervisor would have had the authority to use a bit of common sense. It is tragic enough that this young woman has been widowed at such an early age, add to that she has a young child to look after. It will be many months before she can start to think straight and start to put her life in order.
It is shameful that a country treat the families of fallen service people this way. Hopefully somebody will look at this situation and make rapid moves to correct the situation and make sure that it does not happen again.
Aye - Andy
I was listening to a radio programme yesterday and the subject of compensation for war widows came up. Apparently in this country the widow of a private soldier gets approximately £26,000.00 and in the USA the widow of a private gets about £127,000.00. Not a lot of difference really. And only last week Lord Irvine spent £127,000.00 of tax payers money buying artifacts for his flat. This government certainly has got it's priorities right - I don't think.
Wully
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Whah tush sweed
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To think this guy was out there for Queen and Country only to have his family put through the trauma. At times like this, support is what should have been offered, not your marching orders.
Sorry to say this, but we'll probably look after those 'temporarily living here' better than we do our own.
Surely the war widows benefits require re-assessment!
Unfortunately the general public will have forgotten the bravery of these people once the media coverage dies down. We wont!
Sorry to say this, but we'll probably look after those 'temporarily living here' better than we do our own.
Surely the war widows benefits require re-assessment!
Unfortunately the general public will have forgotten the bravery of these people once the media coverage dies down. We wont!
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flo
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its a disgrace!!
As a wife myself i have wondered as have we all as to what would happen IF.... Thankfully i dont have to worry unlike Mrs seymour and her child. I think it is a damn disgrace that she has to pay back 9 days pay and will they charge her for not returning his kit!!! i wonder. Personally if i was her prior to moving out of MQ's i would paint every room black hammerite just to see them off. It would cost them a lot more than 9 days pay to fix. Geoff Hoon has said that he will look into it but he did pass the buck (no surprise there then) so lets see what will happen, but im sure that the amount of press coverage this is getting will result in the debt being written off as it should have been from the very start.
Geoff Hoon was asked what about our troops after the conflict.
Yes we have short term measures in place.
Now we know what he meant.
I honestly feel that it is the duty of the Government to provide for widows to the extent of ensuring that they have a permanent home.
Lets not forget this was classed as a war, which means that very few insurance policies will be paid out. So lets see the Government provide not short term but long term care and support for all.
Bloody Hell they deserve better and it's high time this country stood up to be counted instead of employing the Bystander Apathy attitude to how this country is being flushed away.
Yes we have short term measures in place.
Now we know what he meant.
I honestly feel that it is the duty of the Government to provide for widows to the extent of ensuring that they have a permanent home.
Lets not forget this was classed as a war, which means that very few insurance policies will be paid out. So lets see the Government provide not short term but long term care and support for all.
Bloody Hell they deserve better and it's high time this country stood up to be counted instead of employing the Bystander Apathy attitude to how this country is being flushed away.
Falklands Veterans Foundation
www.fvf.org.uk www.yomp30.co.uk
Save the Fearless www.hmsfearless.co.uk
Give Her A Home So We Can All Remember
www.fvf.org.uk www.yomp30.co.uk
Save the Fearless www.hmsfearless.co.uk
Give Her A Home So We Can All Remember
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MAUREENCORBETT
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I was twenty eight when I got the "knock on the door" and after having been with the marines for a total of 11 years, four years in the WRNS and 7 as a wife - I was totally disillusioned by the "looking after the family" side of the service - made all the worse because previously I had been a true believer.
The commanding officer of 45 Cdo told me I should be grateful that I was a "service widow" - at least I would get a pension. Many other things were said or insinuated that pushed me over the top. I ended up in hospital and my kids were taken into care. When I got myself out, through the help of a sympathetic former marine who was the welfare officer at the hospital, they tried to keep me on an indefinite hold order, I was dropped at the front door of my married quarter and the welfare officer shot off. No wonder, they had stripped everything and packed it into boxes. I was told that if I wanted to get my kids back then I would have to agree to move back to my home town - the last place on earth I ever wanted to go. But having no other options at that time I had to agree.
It was only after contacting my MP and having questions raised in Parliament that six months later a representative from the "War Widow's Pensions" came to see me and apologized for not getting in touch sooner - the marines had not passed on the relevant information to his department. I explained that I was told that I would only be entitled to a Service Widow's pension and was advised that this was not a decision that was made by the marines - there would be an independant enquiry and I would be advised of the outcome. The long and the short of it is although they could not provide me with any of the information presented to the board I had been awarded a War Widow's Pension. It made a big difference to my standard of living.
One of the worst things I had to face was that because I was 28, I was not considered old enough to be a widow. - I would only be given a widowed mother's allowance that would end when my kids left school! Then I would be advised what, if anything, I would be entitled to.
Don't get me wrong, there were many people who were very kind and helpful at the time of Bill's death, but there were many others, whom I had considered as close friends who seemed to disappear into the woodwork or could not look me in the eyes.
When I managed to relocate myself to Portsmouth, a place I had asked the marines to let me move to, the RMA helped with some grants that paid for necessary repairs to the house I bought.
I have cried a lot recently for the families now facing what I faced twenty two years ago. From what I have just read on this thread, things have not changed a lot.
It is bad enough to have to go through the utter devastation of losing the most important part of your life without having to face all the additional crap that they put you through. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families and I hope that they are given all the assistance they need, for as long as they need it!
Maureen Corbett
The commanding officer of 45 Cdo told me I should be grateful that I was a "service widow" - at least I would get a pension. Many other things were said or insinuated that pushed me over the top. I ended up in hospital and my kids were taken into care. When I got myself out, through the help of a sympathetic former marine who was the welfare officer at the hospital, they tried to keep me on an indefinite hold order, I was dropped at the front door of my married quarter and the welfare officer shot off. No wonder, they had stripped everything and packed it into boxes. I was told that if I wanted to get my kids back then I would have to agree to move back to my home town - the last place on earth I ever wanted to go. But having no other options at that time I had to agree.
It was only after contacting my MP and having questions raised in Parliament that six months later a representative from the "War Widow's Pensions" came to see me and apologized for not getting in touch sooner - the marines had not passed on the relevant information to his department. I explained that I was told that I would only be entitled to a Service Widow's pension and was advised that this was not a decision that was made by the marines - there would be an independant enquiry and I would be advised of the outcome. The long and the short of it is although they could not provide me with any of the information presented to the board I had been awarded a War Widow's Pension. It made a big difference to my standard of living.
One of the worst things I had to face was that because I was 28, I was not considered old enough to be a widow. - I would only be given a widowed mother's allowance that would end when my kids left school! Then I would be advised what, if anything, I would be entitled to.
Don't get me wrong, there were many people who were very kind and helpful at the time of Bill's death, but there were many others, whom I had considered as close friends who seemed to disappear into the woodwork or could not look me in the eyes.
When I managed to relocate myself to Portsmouth, a place I had asked the marines to let me move to, the RMA helped with some grants that paid for necessary repairs to the house I bought.
I have cried a lot recently for the families now facing what I faced twenty two years ago. From what I have just read on this thread, things have not changed a lot.
It is bad enough to have to go through the utter devastation of losing the most important part of your life without having to face all the additional crap that they put you through. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families and I hope that they are given all the assistance they need, for as long as they need it!
Maureen Corbett
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Andy O'Pray
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A MoD spokesperson has stated that the department made an administrative error when they told Mrs. Seymour to repay nine days pay that her husband was not entitled to. They deny telling her to get out of her MQ, however, a representative will visit her to apologize.
It still does not correct the underlying problem.
Aye - Andy.
It still does not correct the underlying problem.
Aye - Andy.
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Guest
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Well you have to say how insensitive some of these people are, number crunchers are just that, number crunchers. I'm sorry for Maureen and all like her, the system will never change, well not until the likes of ITN get on the case.
Just as an example I have been fighting the (then) Air Ministry and the (now) MoD for 43 years, I had to go to the Appeals Court in London in January '03 to get some of my justice (and retribution!), it is still ongoing.
The war in Iraq lasts 3-4 weeks, to keep the peace takes much longer, to fight a war as an individual against the MoD takes a lifetime, over the years I have met many a warrior who have a more deserved case than myself but feel that the effort defeats them.
That folks is your Ministry of Defence for you!
Just as an example I have been fighting the (then) Air Ministry and the (now) MoD for 43 years, I had to go to the Appeals Court in London in January '03 to get some of my justice (and retribution!), it is still ongoing.
The war in Iraq lasts 3-4 weeks, to keep the peace takes much longer, to fight a war as an individual against the MoD takes a lifetime, over the years I have met many a warrior who have a more deserved case than myself but feel that the effort defeats them.
That folks is your Ministry of Defence for you!
One of the areas I have started to address within the FVF is that of care and advice. The big problem is that even serving personnel are led down the garden path usually because the welfare people (who in many cases try hard) are usually c/sgts on their fifth five with the minimum of training and usually only really on call working hours.
We have started looking for a suitable building or camp which can provide us with a facility which can be set out as a respite and first line care facility along with a place which can have a team dedicated to providing help from form filling to fighting for benifits. The aim is to be in a position to provide this for all ex and serving personnel. We have somewhere in mind though they want it for the Illegals and we are starting to complete a bid for Lottery money ( would be better if we were opening it for illegals).
If you have any thoughts on what you would like to see or know of any other former forces camps which are stood empty let me know.
I will keep trying because its all I can do!
We have started looking for a suitable building or camp which can provide us with a facility which can be set out as a respite and first line care facility along with a place which can have a team dedicated to providing help from form filling to fighting for benifits. The aim is to be in a position to provide this for all ex and serving personnel. We have somewhere in mind though they want it for the Illegals and we are starting to complete a bid for Lottery money ( would be better if we were opening it for illegals).
If you have any thoughts on what you would like to see or know of any other former forces camps which are stood empty let me know.
I will keep trying because its all I can do!
Falklands Veterans Foundation
www.fvf.org.uk www.yomp30.co.uk
Save the Fearless www.hmsfearless.co.uk
Give Her A Home So We Can All Remember
www.fvf.org.uk www.yomp30.co.uk
Save the Fearless www.hmsfearless.co.uk
Give Her A Home So We Can All Remember
According to press reports the much maligned MOD bod who wrote to Mrs Seymour was in fact a Captain RM, which makes the lack of thought even more upsetting. We all know however that even in our Royal Corps there were still some jobsworth bugger. As much as this forum goes to prove the RM family we cannot honestly say that we got on well with EVERY member of the famil. The trick was being able to work with and watch the back of guys you didn't like , and who may not have liked you. Fortunately the vast majority were really great.
Barry
Barry
BC
